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Harmonic processes operating in Amazonian phonologies reported in the literature concern typical vocalic features like [aperture], consonantal features such as [voice], and nasality. Significant progress is being made in the study of nasal harmony: The phonology symposium of the 1st Amazonicas conference, held in Manaus in 2007, focused on this topic (Bruno et al., 2008). The exceptional properties of Amazonian nasal harmony have been noticed by fieldworkers and analysed by different phonological models. Currently, a Nasal Harmony Database 'NasDat' designed to identify the parameters is in progress (Wetzels & Goedemans, 2008).

In this 4th Amazonicas conference we wish to concentrate on harmonic segmental processes, both vocalic and consonantal. We aim at studying these processes in a more systematic way. First, referring to what is seen as a prototypical harmonic pattern. Second, exploring constraint conditions on triggers, targets and domains of harmony, as well as properties such as opacity, transparency and neutrality. Third, contributing to the identification of a set of harmonic features in languages of the area. Fourth, identifying the typological harmonic characteristics in terms of already identified parameters: iterativity, directionality and locality, among others.

By 'harmony' we refer to feature spreading over more than one segment. We also think of processes operating not only through derivations but also on lexical entries. We expect to gather well-documented cases and analyses that will contribute to a better understanding of the structure of vowel harmony and its typological profile (see Ribeiro, 2002). Even if consonantal harmony is by far less frequently attested, we hope to find surprises, coming, for instance, from the unusual behaviour of voicing in the Caribbean family.